![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/image-f948f590c6.jpg?w=620)
Anthony Joshua vs Robert Helenius LIVE RESULT: AJ wins by HUGE knock-out as opponent given oxygen after the fight
ANTHONY JOSHUA knocked out Robert Helenius in the seventh round in his boxing return.
It was a huge confidence builder for AJ as he won inside the distance for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
The big prize now for AJ is an encounter with Deontay Wilder in a blockbuster bout in Saudi Arabia early next year.
Follow ALL of the latest reaction from the O2 below...
How much will Anthony Joshua and Robert Helenius get paid?
There is currently no confirmed sum of how much the rivals received for their clash on Saturday night.
However, it has been reported that there was a total purse of £9.5million on offer.
Anthony Joshua will receive a guaranteed fee of £8million, while his opponent Helenius will claim £1.5million, according to reports.
AJ was also due a large payout from the PPV sales should the fight with Dillian Whyte gone ahead.
What is Joshua's net worth?
In 2020, Forbes had AJ's net worth at a whopping £38.1million ($47million).
His current net worth will likely be significantly higher than that figure due to his lucrative sponsorship deals and back-to-back showdowns with Oleksandr Usyk - the most recent of which took place in Saudi Arabia last August.
He would've also picked a good chunk of last night's fight purse!
Joshua breaks down Wilder game plan
Anthony Joshua believes he has the game plan ready to beat Deontay Wilder.
AJ, 33, secured his 26th professional win with a seventh-round knockout of Robert Helenius on Saturday night.
And now the former heavyweight world champion is eyeing a showdown with fellow fallen star Wilder for a possible January date in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua is confident he has what it takes to beat the heavy-hitting Wilder, who possesses one of the most powerful punches in boxing history.
AJ said about his tactics should he step into the ring with the American: “This is a game of chess. I'm gonna take away Wilder's best attributes. I'm not gonna stand there with my chin in the air and say, 'Hit me.'
"I'm gonna nullify him. It will be very challenging for him for sure."
AJ defends KSI after McGregor comment
Anthony Joshua leapt to KSI's defence after being called a "b****."
Both McGregor and KSI were ringside at the O2 Arena for Joshua's knockout victory over Robert Helenius.
As soon as landing the finishing right hand, AJ leapt out of the ring for a victory lap around the ring.
He bumped into McGregor and swigged some of the UFC superstar's Forged Irish Stout.
McGregor then pointed to KSI and called him a b**** but Joshua responded: "That’s my guy."
'I carried this heavyweight division to the top!'
Is there a doctor in here? My back's gone... because I've been carrying this heavyweight division to the top!"
Anthony Joshua'Have they ever boxed before?'
Anthony Joshua slammed fans who booed him during his victory over Robert Helenius.
The Brit won via a seventh round knockout despite a laboured performance.
AJ put in a cautious display and many of his supporters turned on him from round three as they booed and whistled at the O2 Arena.
Joshua was quizzed on the reaction from fans in a post-bout press conference, with one reporter asking about the boos in the arena.
He responded: "Were they booing me or Helenius?
"That is the question, who were they booing?"
The reporter then suggested that fans wanted a quicker knockout.
AJ hit back, saying with a shrug: "Have any of them ever boxed before?"
McGregor calls out KSI
Speaking to DAZN at the O2 Arena last night, the UFC icon said: "Big congrats to AJ, big congrats to Eddie, big congrats to the UK.
"And I know your man KSI is in the crowd and he couldn't box eggs if he worked in an egg boxing factory.
"So if he wants to get in here, we'll give him a fight. Bare knuckle if you want."
Credit: Getty Conor breaks the rules with ring entry
Conor McGregor broke boxing protocol by entering the ring before Anthony Joshua's fight.
The UFC superstar cut short a family holiday to make sure he was in the house at the O2 Arena.
His Irish Forged Stout was an official sponsor of the show and McGregor took a seat ringside for the night.
But before Derek Chisora controversially beat Gerald Washington, the Irishman strutted around the ring.
He even posed for a picture with promoter Eddie Hearn.
But what McGregor did not realise is that he actually broke British Boxing Board of Control protocol as only BBBoC licence holders are allowed in the ring.
Knock stout
Anthony Joshua celebrated his win over Robert Helenius by swigging Conor McGregor's Forged Irish Stout.
McGregor was in the house at the O2 Arena as his alcoholic beverage sponsored the show.
And he was joyous after AJ knocked Helenius out in round seven with a hellacious right hand.
Joshua, 33, immediately fled the ring and took a lap around in celebration, bumping into McGregor, 34.
And with a pint in his hand the Irishman fed AJ - who sported a bloodied nose - a sip of the creamy stout.
Baying mob
Anthony Joshua walked out of his dressing room to the Godfather theme song, played by a solo violinist, but dressed in a blood-red robe straight out of the Scarface wardrobe.
Seven days before he had made Helenius an offer he could not refuse and now the London 2012 Brit legend had to collect.
He took to one knee to pray in the final seconds before the opening bell and caught the first Helenius combination on his guard.
Joshua breaks silence
Anthony Joshua has posted on social media after his KO win over Robert Helenius last night.
He said simply on his Instagram: "Thank you. Until next time, God bless"
The caption was coupled with a video of him knocking out the Finn, before making a crude gesture in celebration.
McGregor breaches protocol
Conor McGregor broke boxing protocol by entering the ring before Anthony Joshua's fight.
The UFC superstar cut short a family holiday to make sure he was in the house at the O2 Arena.
But what McGregor did not realise is that he actually broke British Boxing Board of Control protocol.
As only BBBoC licence holders are allowed in the ring.
McGregor had gifted Joshua a box of his Irish Forged Stout earlier in the week and hailed the ex-champion.
He tweeted: "This man @anthonyjoshua is the definition of class, quality, and loyalty!
"What him and @EddieHearn have built is just absolute magic!"
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun Joshua booed
Anthony Joshua needs to jump in and fight Deontay Wilder while he still has a few loyal fans left.
Just three rounds into his warm-up fight with Robert Helenius tonight, thousands of his fickle followers turned on him and booed and whistled his cautious performance.
The London 2012 gold and two heavyweight world title runs apparently meant nothing until he detonated a vicious right hand in round seven and ended the awkward affair then leaped into the ringside VIPs to celebrate with his real supporters.
Credit: Reuters
Buz-ing
DAZN presenter Olivia Buzaglo stole the show at the O2 Arena ahead of Anthony Joshua's fight.
AJ beat Nordic Nightmare Robert Helenius in a seventh round knockout after Dillian Whyte failed a drugs test
Helenius needed oxygen
Robert Helenius was left needing an oxygen mask after Anthony Joshua's breathtaking knockout.
Joshua steadily built his way through the fight, which garnered boos from the crowd at points during the bout.
But AJ closed the show in emphatic style when a double jab was followed up with a hellacious right hand.
Immediately referee Victor Loughlin waved off the contest to give Joshua his first KO since 2020.
More from Hearn on AJ's future
Eddie Hearn continued: "And we believe he can go and beat Deontay Wilder. Prince Khalid, Skills Challenge are here tonight we look to try and close that deal over the next few days.
"Josh is ready for that fight, he's given everything to this sport, he's given everything to British boxing.
"He's ready now for some big marquee fights. Like I said, he's smarter now, he's going to take his time.
"No chances, no more losing and tonight you saw that, a guy that took his time, tried to find his range with the right hand and delivered it in devastating fashion."
AJ's three fight plan revealed
Eddie Hearn revealed Anthony Joshua's three fight plan after the big win last night.
Eddie Hearn said: "We've got a three fight plan. Whether you like it or not, it's Robert Helenius.
"It was supposed to be Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder and then Tyson Fury, that's the ambition of the team.
"Whether you back Josh, whether you think he can do it or he can't things have changed. He's now a mature heavyweight.
"And I know everyone wants to see first, second, third round KOs but against Helenius he took his time and delivered one of the knockouts of the year.
Credit: Alamy AJ crude gesture
Anthony Joshua celebrated his stunning KO win over Robert Helenius with a crude gesture.
The Brit crossed his arms and thrust his hips after delivering a peach of a right hand on his Finnish opponent.
The action was similar to what WWE Hall of Famers D-Generation X used to perform, known as the 'crotch crop'.
The referee didn't even need to start a count as Helenius crashed to the canvas in worrying fashion.
The 39-year-old was then given oxygen before thankfully getting back to his feet.
Joshua, who was bloody around the face, then exited the ring and celebrated his stunning stoppage success with fans ringside, fist-bumping some and hugging the lucky few.
Credit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
AJ fells Nordic warrior
He gave Antony Joshua a good fight considering he didn't know he was doing it this time last week so credit has to go to Robert Helenius.
It took Joshua half of the allocated rounds to get the job done, but get the job done he did.
Now his focus turns on Deontay Wilder.
Credit: Reuters McGregor says his piece in the ring
Conor McGregor jumps in the ring and is interviewed.
He congratulates AJ and Helenius for stepping in last minute.
Then he exclaims:
KSI is in the crowd and he couldn't box eggs if he worked in an egg boxing factory. So if he wants to get in here, we will give them a final now, bare knuckle if you want.
Conor McGregorEddie Hearn lays out Joshua plan
When asked what is next for his fighter, Hearn said the plan was to fight Wilder in January in Saudi Arabia.
Talks will be ongoing to make the fight happen.
Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder, the one they all want to see.
Anthony Joshua wins by KO
As soon as Joshua landed the knockout punch, he jumped out of the ring fist bumping friends in the crowd.
Conor McGregor hugged him and poured some Guinness down his neck.
Anthony Joshua is the first to thank Robert Helenius for stepping in late and saving the show.
Credit: Reuters